Illinois deer harvest numbers predictably down

Numbers released by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources indicate that preliminary deer harvest county counts are down for the first week of firearm season in the state.

A total of 54,452 deer were harvested during the first weekend of firearm season this year, compared to the 57,870 bagged on the first weekend last year. A total of 86,847 were harvested last year during firearm season, which generally accounts for over 50 percent of all deer harvested throughout all seasons.

Throughout the region, numbers were down in all counties for the weekend.

Firearms season will conclude on Dec. 1-4, with muzzleloader-only deer season beginning on Dec. 9-11 and archery deer season continuing through Jan 15 — though archery is closed Dec. 1-4 for counties open in firearm deer season.

However, a new rule allows for hunters with a valid firearm deer permit to use archery equipment during firearm season on private land only. Archery permits remain invalid during the firearm season in applicable counties.

Harvest totals last year reached 155,229, well behind the record harvest of 201,209 made in 2005.

Nick Draper can be reached 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper.